v.tr.1. a. To cause to move around an axis or center; cause to rotate or revolve: A motor turns the wheels.
b. To cause to move around in order to achieve a result, such as opening, closing, tightening, or loosening: turn the key; turn a screw.
2. To alter or control the functioning of (a mechanical device, for example) by the use of a rotating or similar movement: turned the iron to a hotter setting.
3. To perform or accomplish by rotating or revolving: turn a somersault.
4. a. To change the position of so that the underside becomes the upper side: turn the steak; turn a page.
b. To spade or plow (soil) to bring the undersoil to the surface.
c. To reverse and resew the material of (a collar, for example).
5. To revolve in the mind; meditate on; ponder: turned the question in her mind.
6. a. To give a rounded form to (wood, for example) by rotating against a cutting tool.
b. To give a rounded shape to (clay, for example) by rotating and shaping with the hands or tools.
c. To give a rounded form to: turn a heel in knitting a sock.
d. To give distinctive, artistic, or graceful form to:
"They know precisely how to turn a dramatic line or phrase that is guaranteed to make the evening news" (William Safire). 7. a. To change the position of by traversing an arc of a circle; pivot: turned his chair toward the speaker.
b. To present in a specified direction by rotating or pivoting: turn one's face to the wall.
c. To cause (a scale) to move up or down so as to register weight: Even a feather will turn a delicate scale.
8. a. To fold, bend, or twist (something).
b. To change the position or disposition of by folding, bending, or twisting: Turn the design right side up on your jacket buttons. Turn the hat inside out.
c. To make a bend or curve in: strong enough to turn a bar of steel.
d. To blunt or dull (the edge of a cutting instrument).
e. To injure by twisting: turn an ankle.
f. To upset or make nauseated: That story turns my stomach.
9. To change the direction or course of: turn the car to the left.
10. a. To divert or deflect: turn a stampede.
b. To reverse the course of; cause to retreat: "Then turn your forces from this paltry siege / And stir them up against a mightier task" (Shakespeare).
11. To make a course around or about: turn a corner.
12. To reach and pass (a specified age): My niece has turned two.
13. To change the purpose, intention, or content of by persuasion or influence: Her speech turned my thinking.
14. To change the order or disposition of; unsettle: "Sudden prosperity had turned [his] head" (Thomas Macaulay).
15. a. To aim or focus: turn one's gaze to the sky; turned the camera on the speaker.
b. To devote or apply (oneself, for example) to something: She turned herself to law.
16. To cause to act or go against; make antagonistic: The scandal turned public opinion against the candidate.
17. To cause to go in a specific direction; direct: They turned their steps toward home.
18. To send, drive, or let go: turn the bully out of the bar; turned the dog loose.
19. To pour, let fall, or otherwise release (contents) from or into a receptacle: Turn the dough onto a floured board.
20. a. To cause to take on a specified character, nature, identity, or appearance; change or transform. Used with to or into: water that had been turned to ice; turn a rundown house into a show place.
b. To affect or change the color of: Autumn turns the green leaves golden.
c. To make sour; ferment: Lack of refrigeration turned the milk.
21. To exchange; convert. Used with to or into: turns her singing talent into extra money.
22. To keep in circulation; sell and restock: We turned a great deal of merchandise during the holidays.
23. a. To make use of: turned the situation to our advantage.
b. To get by buying and selling: turn a fair profit.
24. To perform successfully; complete: turn a double play.
25. Slang To perform (an act of prostitution): turning tricks.